Panel with pivoting and translational motion

Abstract

A panel is supported by a track for movement along the track between a closed position and an open position, and is further supported by a pivot assembly that is configured to pivot the track and the panel with respect to a body portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A window assembly that is connectable to a vehicle body portion,
 the window assembly comprising: 
 a window; 
 a track that supports the window for movement along the track between a closed position and an open position; and 
 a pivot assembly that includes a pivot assembly frame, support rods that are supported by the pivot assembly frame and are coupled to the track to support the track relative to the pivot assembly frame, and a pivot actuator that is configured to extend and retract the support rods to pivot the track and the window with respect to the vehicle body portion to allow movement of the window between the closed position and the open position. 
 
     
     
       2. The window assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot assembly is controlled to pivot the track and the window inward prior to movement of the window along the track. 
     
     
       3. The window assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot actuator is connected to drive members that are configured to extend and retract the support rods relative to the pivot assembly frame in response to rotation of the drive members in order to cause the pivoting of the track and the window. 
     
     
       4. The window assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the drive members are pulleys that are rotated by a drive actuator that is operably connected to the pulleys. 
     
     
       5. The window assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the support rods are threaded shafts, and the drive members are threadedly connected to the threaded shafts. 
     
     
       6. The window assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the pivot assembly frame is fixed relative to the vehicle body portion. 
     
     
       7. The window assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the support rods are connected to the pivot assembly frame by spherical joints. 
     
     
       8. The window assembly of  claim 7 , wherein a first pair of the support rods is connected to the track by pivot joints, and a second pair of the support rods is connected to the track by fixed joints. 
     
     
       9. The window assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the window includes a panel that is at least translucent and a seal that is formed on the panel, the seal is located along a peripheral edge of the window, and the seal is in engagement with the vehicle body portion when the window is in the closed position. 
     
     
       10. The window assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lift actuator that is configured to move the window between the closed position and the open position. 
 
     
     
       11. The window assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the window is located inside the vehicle body portion when the window is in the open position. 
     
     
       12. The window assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the window is flush relative to a body surface of the vehicle body portion when the window is in the closed position. 
     
     
       13. The window assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot assembly is configured to pivot the window about a pivot axis located at or above a top edge of the window. 
     
     
       14. A vehicle, comprising:
 a vehicle body portion that defines an interior space; 
 a window that has an inner surface; 
 a window support member that is connected to the inner surface of the window; 
 tracks that are located in the interior space of the vehicle body portion and are connected to the window support member so that the window support member is movable along the tracks to move the window between a closed position and an open position; 
 a pivot frame that is fixed to the vehicle body portion; 
 support rods that are supported by the pivot frame and are connected to the tracks; and 
 drive members that are configured to extend and retract the support rods relative to the pivot frame in response to rotation of the drive members in order to pivot the tracks and the window with respect to the vehicle body portion to allow movement of the window between the closed position and the open position. 
 
     
     
       15. The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the drive members are pulleys that are rotated by a drive actuator that is operably connected to the pulleys, the support rods are threaded shafts, and the pulleys are threadedly connected to the threaded shafts. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a pivot actuator that is configured to cause rotation of the drive members in order to cause pivoting of the tracks and the window with respect to the vehicle body portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the tracks are part of a track assembly that includes a first track that is connected to the window support member, a second track that is connected to the window support member, and a lift actuator that is connected to the window support member by cables so that operation of the lift actuator causes movement of the window between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
       18. The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the support rods are connected to the pivot frame by spherical joints, a first pair of the support rods is connected to the track assembly by pivot joints, and a second pair of the support rods is connected to the track assembly by fixed joints. 
     
     
       19. The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the window is located inside the vehicle body portion when the window is in the open position and an outer surface of the window is flush relative to a body surface of the vehicle body portion when the window is in the closed position. 
     
     
       20. A vehicle, comprising:
 a vehicle body portion that defines an interior space; 
 a window that is movable between a closed position, in which the window obstructs a window opening, and an open position, in which the window is located in the interior space of the vehicle body portion and does not obstruct the window opening; 
 tracks that support the window; 
 a lift actuator that is configured to move the window relative to the tracks between a closed position and an open position; and 
 a pivot actuator that is configured to pivot the window and the tracks between a first angular position, in which the window is in alignment with the window opening, and a second angular position, in which the window is pivoted out of alignment with the window opening, 
 wherein the lift actuator and the pivot actuator are controlled to initiate pivoting of the window from the first angular position toward the second angular position using the pivot actuator prior to lowering the window using the lift actuator. 
 
     
     
       21. The vehicle of  claim 20 , wherein the lift actuator and the pivot actuator are controlled to commence lowering the window using the lift actuator after the window reaches the second angular position. 
     
     
       22. The vehicle of  claim 20 , wherein the lift actuator and the pivot actuator are controlled to commence lowering the window using the lift actuator while the window is pivoting from the first angular position toward the second angular position.